Asian Mineral Resources has received a licence allowing the mining of nickel, copper and associated minerals at its 90% owned Ban Phuc Project in Vietnam.

The mining licence area covers the massive sulfide deposit, development of which has been approved by the company's Board of Directors.

Asian Mineral Resources president and chief executive officer Rob Thomson says: "We are delighted that the Vietnamese government has demonstrated its support for the development of our Ban Phuc project. We will now proceed to develop the project, targeting mine production commencement in early 2009.

'Our Son La partner, has been extremely supportive to our predevelopment activities and the securing of the mining licence.

'This association augers well for the future. Predevelopment activities undertaken by the Joint Venture, and sanctioned by the Provincial authorities, have aided the establishment of a management team and project control systems which will now enable a rapid commencement of project construction.'

The project is part of a granted Foreign Investment Licence covering 150sqkm of highly prospective ultramafic hosted nickel occurrences.

www.asianminres.com.